Gaspar de la Croix

Gaspar de la Croix (1466-1503) was a French-born engineer who was known to be a pioneer of firearm skills. He was one of the first snipers, and was employed by Papal States Captain-General Cesare Borgia during the Italian Wars.

Biography
Gaspar de la Croix was a master weapons engineer as well as an excellent marksman. Although the profession of sniper didn't exist yet in the 16th century, Gaspar was something of a pioneer. His skill with a firearm spared him any close confrontations on the battlefield and Cesare Borgia made use of his skill to take down easy targets at the beginning of a fight.

Death
In 1503, he began firing indiscriminately at a group of people on the outskirts of Rome, Italy, with an arquebus. He was chased down by assassin Ezio Auditore da Firenze to a lakeside castle, where Gaspar was slashed across the back with a sword after many other grievous injuries. De la Croix died, weakening the Templar army.